Ijaw petitions UN over Chevron, Shell rig fire, oil spill

Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, has described the Chevron gas rig fire and Shell Bonga oil spill as crime against humanity, adding that they have destroyed lives and property of people of Niger Delta.

In a petition signed by Comrade Joseph Evah and addressed to the United Nations Court at The Hague, Netherlands, the Ijaw urged the court to prosecute Chevron and Shell for crime against humanity in Niger Delta.

The group alleged that the crime against the Niger Delta people took place at the same time showing clearly that it was an agenda to wipe away the Ijaw from the surface of the earth.

Evah said: "The oil companies in Nigeria have no regard for human safety because successive governments in Nigeria, both at the federal and state levels, are regarded as toys in the hands of oil companies.

"We recommend the trial of Shell and their partner in crime (Chevron) before the World Court to serve as a lesson to other multinational oil and gas companies operating in the region.

"The oil companies have reduced the life span of our people since 1956 when oil was discovered in the region. The latest crime has led to uncountable deaths while hundreds are still missing following the destruction of their communities."